HAVING A RIGHT CHRISTMAS (2)

Call to Worship #2

L: Let everything praise God! P: All the mountains and hills, the valleys and plains shall resound with praises to God. L: Let everything that has breath praise God! P: All creatures on earth, in the skies, in the seas shall sing praise to God! L: Let us, here and now, praise God! P: We praise God with our whole heart and soul and strength! AMEN.

Opening Prayer

Lord of mercy and joy, You have given to us the blessing of your Son Jesus who will make known your presence, forgiveness, and love to each one of us. Be with us this day and keep our hearts and minds open to receive your love and peace. Enable each of us to be people of joy and hope as we encounter others. We ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.

HAVING A RIGHT CHRISTMAS

Pastoral Prayer

God of mystery and love, help us move from the sweet experience of the birth of the Christ Child into the reality of the powerful witness of Jesus who will be Messiah for us all. Remind us again that this season is not about bows and boxes, feasts and family; it is about preparing us, your people, for a mission and ministry of hope and peace for this aching and angry world. Empower us to be people of great faith, placing our trust in you, believing that peace is not only possible, it truly can happen if we will work with you and with one another. AMEN.

John 1:1-5New International Version

The Word Became Flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Intro: Ill. The emphasis on getting Christmas right. We want it white and bright. We want the tree, the decorations, the lights, the eggnog and the presents. We want everyone to be happy. We want to be able to get and give plenty. We want peace and joy to abound.

· In reality, Christmas often turns into a real hassle. You are rushed and pushed for time. You spend money you don’t have for people you don’t even like to acquire things they don’t even want or need.

· In our struggle to get it right, we often get it dead wrong and end up making ourselves and others miserable.

· Ill. I believe God wants us to get it right. I believe that He is not so interested in our having a white Christmas as He is interested in our having a right Christmas.

· So, how can we have a right Christmas? What do we need to understand and change in our lives that will allow Christmas to be a time of blessing and wonder instead of being a time of stress and tension?

· This passage reveals some ingredients that are absolutely essential if we are to have a right Christmas.

· Now, I realize that this is not the traditional Christmas text. John does not write about angels, shepherds, stars or sheep. But, He does something the other Gospel writers do not do. John puts the greatest Christmas delivery of all time into context. He tells us all we need to know to have a right Christmas.

I. CONSIDER THE PERSON OF CHRISTMAS- 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. v. 1-2

(Ill. Christmas filled with many distractions. Between the Personalities, the Presents and the Practices, it is easy to forget the real reason for this day. Verse 1 brings us back to the real essence of Christmas.The word translated “word” in this verse is the Greek word “logos”. It refers to “speech, reasoning, explanation, a word about something.”

That is Who Jesus is! He is called the Word because a word is a visible expression of an invisible thought. Jesus is the perfect expression of Who God is!

Jesus is everything God has ever said or will say. He is everything God is about in human form. Jesus is the explanation or narration of God!He alone is the Person of Christmas!

I. CONSIDER THE PERSON OF CHRISTMAS

II. CONSIDER THE POWER OF CHRISTMAS -3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.v. 3

Ill. If I were to ask you to tell me what you think the greatest manifestation of God’s power is; you might all have a different answer. Some would say it is creation, His miracles, others would talk about the cross and still others would center on the resurrection. But, I submit to you that the greatest expression of God’s power was when He added humanity to His deity and came to live and die among men, Phil. 2:5-8. Think for a moment about just Who was born in that manger in Bethlehem.)

Jesus, Who was the Agent of Creation, stepped out of eternity, laid aside His glory and entered this world as a human baby! That is the power behind Christmas!

So, what is the power of Christmas? The power of Christmas is God in a manger! That is the power of Christmas! That is the reason we celebrate this day. That is the essence of this whole season!

I. CONSIDER THE PERSON OF CHRISTMAS

II. CONSIDER THE POWER OF CHRISTMAS

III. CONSIDER THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTMAS4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.v. 4-5

What is the purpose of Christmas?Most folks are all messed up when it comes to what they think Christmas is all about. Their primary concern is in giving the perfect gift. You know, only God can do that! Only God could give the perfect gift. And, that is just what He did when He sent Jesus into this world. He gave us His Son Jesus, the greatest gift. He gave Jesus to be life for our dead souls and light to our darkened hearts. He gave His all when He gave us His Son!)

Conc:

I. CONSIDER THE PERSON OF CHRISTMAS

II. CONSIDER THE POWER OF CHRISTMAS

III. CONSIDER THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTMAS

Did you have a right Christmas? You can, but only if Jesus is at the center of everything you do! Here is how you can guarantee yourself a right Christmas this year:

1. Be sure that you are saved; that you know Him; that you have passed from death unto life.

2. Be sure this day is about Him and not about anything else.

3. Be sure to give Him the glory He is due today and everyday.

Has Jesus spoken to your heart today? If so, this altar is open for anything from salvation to supplication to surrender to thanksgiving.

Closing Prayer

Let us be in prayer with one another, for one another, for our church and our community, for our nation and our world, for all earth’s people and creatures, that we may be those who promote peace. Give us courage and strength. Help us reach across areas that divide, offering compassionate assistance wherever it is needed. Bless each one of us in your service.

Benediction

We have been given the Great Light, which has come into the world. This light of peace and hope, joy and love, shines on us, in us, and through us, to all whom we meet. Go now in peace, and let the light of God’s great love go with you. AMEN.